48 Hours On The French Riviera

Composed of Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Antibes, Eze, and St. Tropez, the French Riviera is the most romantic, luxurious, and euphoric coastline in Europe. Travel is easy between these fairytale cities. Rent a convertible, board a private yacht, or rent a speed boat to cruise between the shores as you wish. LUXOS highlights top spots to explore, unique activities to take part in, and the best ways to live it up in this wonderland of blue waters and chic beaches.

by
Eleonora Betesh and Victoria Castelluccio

Picture yourself waking up in Nice with the Mediterranean sun shining and the turquoise blue waters sparkling as the waves wash upon the shore. Head to Fleur de Café for breakfast. Here, you will welcome the day with fresh fruit and the most divine crepes that are worth breaking the rules for. You can also try the 'Breakfast Continental' and pair it with a homemade smoothie.

Pass through the pedestrian market on Cours Saleya to collect some fresh fruit, and treasure them on the seaside, in between people watching and dips in the pebbled sea. If you love an organized beach, head to Neptune Plage or Castel Plage for a taste of organized beach life in Europe. Come lunchtime, if you're too lazy to move you can enjoy lunch a la plage with full service. Otherwise, head to La Petit Maison for a real treat among the Riviera's elite.

In the afternoon, head to the elegant village of Eze. It is as if you have stepped into a real-life fairytale. Eze is known as home of the best perfumes in the world, so it is only natural that you should visit the Fragonard Perfume Factory. Listen to the stories, recalling how the most high-class perfume has been produced over the years and brought to stores, and then at the end of the tour, you can browse the testers to choose your preferred fragrance.

You can opt to cruise along the French Riviera, heading East, until you arrive in Monaco. We suggest taking the side roads if time is a luxury - you will be able to get a feel for local village life. While you're in the area, head to Monte Carlo for a bit of sightseeing and with under 5,000 officially registered inhabitants, the quality of life is supreme. Make sure to visit the Exotic Gardens, The Monte Carlo Casino, The Oceanographic Museum, and the Prince’s Palace.

Grab a coffee at Le Limùn Bar and drive west towards Cannes, home of the Cannes Film Festival. Cannes has always been the city of glamour, and even when off the star-studded grid, the city is upbeat, lively and pulsing with young people. Before dinner, head to Le Cirque for a cocktail and local people watching. Walk along the pedestrian streets, and then head to the boardwalk to admire the impressive, historic hotel establishments.

If you've been dreaming of stardom, keep the sparkle alive by hitting up Palme d’Or for dinner. This is the most luxurious restaurant in Cannes and offers exquisitely unique dishes ranging from arch shellfish to the black sausage of squid. To experience a culinary institution, head to Astoux et Brun for soulful seafood experiences.

On day two, we recommend hitting the 'vacation mod'e button and booking a beachbed at one of the local beach clubs. Daily activities include swimming, a bottle of rose, snoozing, long lunches and light-hearted mingling. Book a bed and umbrella at Plage Keller or the Royal Beach, each offers some of the best private beaches in Antibes. This small but impressive cape is home to a stretch of white sand and crystal clear waters to float in and explore via leisurely snorkelling.

In the afternoon, you can have a quick walk around the Old Town of Antibes, which is charming and colorful. Don't miss an ice cream at Gelateria del Porto. If you haven't surrendered to the beauty of the sea and decided to stay for dinner as well, your last stop of the French Riviera is Saint Tropez.

Saint Tropez is probably the place where shopping bags will join the journey. As the evening hours make their way to the seaside town, you'll be able to browse the shops. A cultural 'must have' while here is the The Tropézien Sandal, which is made of genuine leather of different colors and prints, studded or flowered - it's all up to you. La Cave de St. Tropez is a great place where you can quench your thirst, and try the finest French wines. For dinner, book a table in advance at Le Girelier, known for its seafood and divine Mediterranean dishes. Our favorites are the Plateau De L’ecailler, a rich platter of oysters, langoustines, whelks, prawns, sea snails, crab and shrimp; the French caviar, or the grilled seabass fillet. For dessert, try the fabulous crème brulée, the coupe de fraises, or champagne gourmand. End your night with a chilled glass of limoncello or Chartreuse verte.

The Fishermen's Village of Saint Tropez

You can easily choose to extend the day for another two days, hopping over to visit the gorgeous town of Vence, basking in the stunning beaches of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat and Cap d'Ail, or get lost in the beautiful country roads of the French Riviera, and experience restaurants off the beaten track, particularly the modest Restaurant Les Murennes in the town of La Mole. Vive la France.